We cannot be proud of existing ties with India, says PM Sharif
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said that Pakistan cannot be proud of its existing ties with India and other neighbouring countries except China.
“Ties with India keep fluctuating. They are sometimes tense and at other times normal. We also do not have friendly ties with other neighbours that we can be proud of. Only China is a country that is close to us,” Mr Sharif said while addressing the National Security Conference here.
“Let’s hope that with the change of leadership in Afghanistan, we can improve relations. The foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India will also meet this month, so we can expect good results from here too,” he added.
Mr Sharif said apart from tense borders, Pakistan is also facing terrorism within the country and at this point political confrontation, protest and rallies cannot help.
“We need to sit together and talk. I am willing to go to anybody for talks, they can also come to me,” he said. Mr Sharif said Pakistan Tehrik- e- Insaf ( PTI) chief Imran Khan was willing to call off his azadi march if the government agreed to recounting of votes in 10 constituencies. “Sirajul Haq ( Jamaat- eIslami chief) told me that Imran Khan can call off the march if the government agrees to recounting of votes in 10 constituencies,” he said.
The Prime Minister told the NSC, attended by leaders of almost all parties, Cabinet members, chief ministers and the military leadership, that he was open to discussion on the subject, adding that Imran Khan is welcome for negotiations.
“I am even willing to go to Imran Khan’s residence to discuss the matter,” he added. The PM however, did not offer talks to Pakistan Awami Tehrik ( PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri saying he cannot understand his idea of revolution.